Sarfraz apologises to Phehlukwayo in person

E-Paper | June 13, 2026

CENTURION: Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq ducks under a bouncer from South African paceman Kagiso Rabada during the third One-day International at SuperSport Park on Friday. Imam top-scored with 101 as Pakistan piled up 317-6 after they won the toss and elected to bat.—AP

CENTURION: Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed played in the third One-day International against South Africa on Friday despite coming under scrutiny for an allegedly racist comment in the second game.

Sarfraz apologised for his outburst while South Africa all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo was batting in the home team’s victory in Durban on Tuesday.

Speaking in Urdu, Sarfraz was caught on a stump microphone saying “Hey black man, where is your mother sitting today? What (prayer) have you got her to say for you today?”

The International Cricket Council is gathering information on the incident but hasn’t announced any formal proceedings against Sarfraz, who said his comments were a general expression of frustration and not aimed specifically at Phehlukwayo.

Despite that, Sarfraz said in a tweet that he had apologised in person to Phehlukwayo ahead of Friday’s third ODI.

“He was gracious enough to accept my apology,” tweeted Sarfraz.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2019

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Sport

Skipper Sarfraz makes 'racist' remarks directed at South African batsman

'We forgive him': du Plessis on Sarfraz's apology over 'black guy' comment

Wrong line, Sarfraz

Hafeez, Canada

Jan 26, 2019 10:22am

Apologised ..apology accepted. Let us move forward..

Recommend 0

Tonisha Decarlo

Jan 26, 2019 10:25am

Andile Phehlukwayo had to accept, there was no other choice. No doubt he is better gentleman than Sarfarz.

Recommend 0

RaJGURU

Jan 26, 2019 10:26am

Sarfarz has tarnished his image, which even he wont be able to remove.

Recommend 0

Harshvardhan

Jan 26, 2019 10:27am

ICC will definitely take action, even after Sarfarz apologized to Andile Phehlukwayo.

Recommend 0

Bishen

Jan 26, 2019 10:29am

Int.Cricket Council must take action, so that in future no other cricketer should make racist comments again.

Recommend 0

Pakistani-Sindhi

Jan 26, 2019 10:32am

@RaJGURU, You are typical and predictable Indian, don't expect anything better from you.

Recommend 0

Pure ind

Jan 26, 2019 11:00am

It's a blot what he said. Lucky that he escaped unpunished. PCB should have acted stricter.

Recommend 0

Farhan S.

Jan 26, 2019 11:09am

@RaJGURU, Oh please Indian, looks like you’re the one stuck with your hatred toward Pakistan and Pakistanis. Move on!

Recommend 0

The real salaria

Jan 26, 2019 11:10am

He has realised his mistake and apologised in person and apology accepted gracefully. Now let's close the case and move on. We all make mistakes .

Recommend 0

Govardhan Lal Bhatia

Jan 26, 2019 11:12am

Very good sarfraz, really shows your true character and the sportsmanship inculcated in you. Hatsoff to pakistani selection board and coaches, who have taught good values in pakistani cricketers

Recommend 0

Govardhan Lal Bhatia

Jan 26, 2019 11:17am

@Pakistani-Sindhi, Really apologise on behalf of rajguru, You have every right to be angry, but not all indians are like that,.Safraz has set an example for all pakistani and indian cricketers. Because we always refer africans as kala from the subcontinent, wirhout realising that this is a racist comment

Recommend 0

Govind_Indian

Jan 26, 2019 11:18am

Its better to keep your mouth shut and be thought to be a fool and then to open your mouth and clear all doubts

Recommend 0

Infodict

Jan 26, 2019 11:20am

I like sarfraz. And I don't think he was racist towards him. But his poor choice of words shows his education and must be penalized by ICC to maintain the gentlemen spirit of the game.

Recommend 0

Anonymouseeeee

Jan 26, 2019 11:21am

An excellent gesture by Sarfaraz.

Recommend 0

Parvez

Jan 26, 2019 12:37pm

That was big of Sarfraz ..... and even bigger of Andile to accept the apology. They have both done service for the image of the game.....which badly needs gestures of this type.

Recommend 0

Haamid

Jan 26, 2019 01:01pm

Apology is not enough in case.

Recommend 0

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Jan 26, 2019 01:18pm

What other options has he got to stay afloat, save his skin from the upcoming wrath of the Indian dominated and spineless ICC, strengthen and consolidate his PR image, publicly admit his fault and remain in the media limelight?

Recommend 0

bangalore.citizen

Jan 26, 2019 01:23pm

Whom did he really apologize? Sarfraz Ahmed had earlier tweeted that -- "My words were not directed towards anyone in particular..." and, now he apologized to that particular person!

Recommend 0

Omkar

Jan 26, 2019 01:24pm

@Pakistani-Sindhi, What if you are in the place of Andile Phehlukwayo , and Sarfarz said the same thing to you? Will you accept? I dont think you will, and as you understand Urdu, you would have jumped to fight.

Recommend 0

Joesph

Jan 26, 2019 01:25pm

@Farhan S., Thats how you people think, with low IQ.

Recommend 0

Baloch

Jan 26, 2019 02:49pm

His outburst was disgraceful and racist. PCB should ban him for few matches to set an example. If PCB doesn’t do it then it means they condone such behaviour.

Recommend 0

Fawad

Jan 26, 2019 02:56pm

Sharfaraz should banned for a few matches. His rascist comments has damanged Pakistan imgae in the world. Country should be upper than individual cricketor.

Recommend 0

suma

Jan 26, 2019 03:26pm

I think Surfraz dint mean any of those words....just bit of education out of lot of money in cricket will do. Educate players from domestic level to play without abuses.

Recommend 0

Prakash

Jan 26, 2019 03:46pm

It's a black talking about black it's no problem. If white did it now that's racism. Apologize accepted Pakistani Captain.

Recommend 0

Sud

Jan 26, 2019 05:13pm

You apologised because you were caught.

Recommend 0

Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Jan 26, 2019 07:34pm

Simply, silly remarks made a irresponsible cricketer without realising its consequences after caught red handed.

Recommend 0

Azam Qadeer

Jan 27, 2019 02:06am

Being a captain does not fit these comment

Recommend 0

Riaz

Jan 27, 2019 06:23am

I am pakistsn supporter,,.still feel it is out of order apology was accepted, encase we have a good relationship with SA, not withstanding Sarfaz who did best to undermine it! Sarfraz needs to realise who said good things about him, sir Viv! He also needs to realise he is underperfming by a mile! As a captain and all rounder! Look at the Jason Holder, Du Plessis, Williamson, Root, Only guynsimilar to him his Paine kf Australia!

Recommend 0

Anir

Jan 27, 2019 09:43am

What came out was the deep rooted mindset, not alone with Sarfaraz but with many people, that even this situation was considered as a friendly banter. We will not make such comment with a white coloured person for sure, shows that many of us still think we are superior than black coloured people. The same people will feel inferior to white coloured people. Both the notions are so incorrect.

Recommend 0

Pankaj Kumar

Jan 27, 2019 12:28pm

What sarfaraz said was talking to himself and his team out of frustration. Motive was not insult as he was not speaking to Phehlukawayo in english. So I think ICC will not penalize him heavily. but certain standards have to be maintained in the presence of stump mike.

Recommend 0

Riaz

Jan 27, 2019 01:00pm

@Anir, so true as Muslims we must stand against bigotry...remember .Hazart Bilal...in any case it is all about respect. I am so disappointed with Sarfraz, because he is not captaincy material. I was in Abu Dhabi, when Hafeez retired it was Williamson who paid tribute to Hafeez and not Sarfraz, the guy is thick and unrefined! Not the person who want to represent a nation, unless he is representive,of the whole nation!

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Why SQD-Mini LED is the display breakthrough we’ve been waiting for?

The display industry is entering a new phase, where reducing trade-offs is as important as pushing performance limits.

The Palms at Silk Gardens introduces a new family address in Karachi

The Palms places families at the heart of its vision, offering thoughtfully planned 2 and 3-bedroom units in a secure, peaceful and community-led environment.